Michael Fynan chats with return guest Thomas C. Foster about his latest book, HOW TO WRITE LIKE A WRITER. Learn more: https://www.harperacademic.com/book/9780063139411/how-to-write-like-a-writer.

Thomas C. Foster (3)

Susana M. Morris

Some stories don't just entertain—they show us how to grow up, challenging the limiting narratives we may have been told. Much like magic, a powerful story can bring us back to our true selves and help us discover who we might choose to be. The best stories become enduring classics, like Terry Pratchett's The Wee Free Men.

In this episode, we explore the world of fantasy novels and what it means to be a witch with Rhianna Pratchett and Gabrielle Kent, co-authors of Tiffany Aching’s Guide to Being a Witch, and Marieke Nijkamp, author of the popular Splinter and Ash series.

To celebrate Pratchett’s beloved novels, we immerse ourselves in worlds brimming with witches, politics, grief, and secrets.

To learn more about Terry Pratchett’s, Rhianna Pratchett’s, Gabrielle Kent’s, or Marieke Nijkamp’s books, visit
harpercollins.com/search?q=Terry+Pratchett
harpercollins.com/search?q=Rhianna+Pratchett
harpercollins.com/search?q=Gabrielle+Kent
harpercollins.com/search?q=Marieke+Nijkamp


Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at readingpod@harpercollins.com. Learn more at rememberreading.com. And, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.


[3:30] The 20th anniversary of Terry Pratchett’s The Wee Free Men was the ideal time for Rhianna Pratchett and Gabrielle Kent to write Tiffany Aching’s Guide to Being a Witch.

[7:52] In The Wee Free Men, the character Tiffany Aching challenges traditions and finds her path as she embraces her power.

[14:59] Marieke Nijkamp wrote Splinter and Ash for readers who often struggle to connect with characters in fantasy.

[20:06] Terry Pratchett’s novels are admired for tackling complex political themes and refusing to present a simplified view of the world.

[24:08] Readers can expect more stories about death and what it means to be a witch from Rhianna and Gabrielle.


Continue Your Journey:
Rhianna Pratchett
Gabrielle Kent
Marieke Nijkamp
HarperCollins
Remember Reading Podcast
@ReadingPod on Twitter

Shareables:

“We started working in video games in the ’90s when it was very rare for there to be women working in games.” — Gabrielle Kent, Co-author of Tiffany Aching’s Guide to Being a Witch

“I have a Witches Abroad quote tattooed on my arm.” — Mareike Nijkamp, author of Splinter and Ash novels

“One of the things I love about Pratchett’s books in general, I think, is just that Tiffany discovers that one of the tools she has to deal with the world is stories.” — Mareike Nijkamp, author of Splinter and Ash novels

“I love telling stories about people who maybe fall through the cracks a little bit, maybe just exist on the edges, maybe don’t quite feel, quite, feel at home or are seen as fully part of their homes.” — Mareike Nijkamp, author of Splinter and Ash novels

“One of the great things about my father’s work for younger readers is it can be enjoyed by anyone, right? He doesn’t pander to younger readers.” — Rhianna Pratchett, Co-author of Tiffany Aching’s Guide to Being a Witch, and daughter of Terry Pratchett

“We were basically reading the whole book to each other, and then we had to have whiskey for the hard chapters, then we were just sobbing at the end.” — Rhianna Pratchett, Co-author of Tiffany Aching’s Guide to Being a Witch

“Reading those books has helped me think very differently about death as well. Sounds so weird, but seeing that kind of positive side of it and that it’s not something to be feared.” — Gabrielle Kent, Co-author of Tiffany Aching’s Guide to Being a Witch

“Everyone should pick up at least one book. And I think Wee Free Men, if you’ve never read any Discworld books, is a great place to start.” — Mareike Nijkamp, author of Splinter and Ash novels



The Wisdom of Witches: Finding Ourselves in Fantasies (ft. Rhianna Pratchett, Gabrielle Kent, & Marieke Nijkamp)

Read by the author.

Who was in the manger that first Christmas morning? And how can we know for sure?

In this completely revised and updated edition of The Case for Christmas—reflecting the latest scholarship and research—award-winning legal journalist Lee Strobel weighs the evidence to distinguish myth from truth about what happened in Bethlehem.

What can we know about the events of Christmas morning? And, most importantly, who was born that day? Some say the newborn baby would become a great moral leader. Others, a social critic. Still others view Jesus as a profound philosopher, a rabbi, a feminist, a prophet, and more. Many are convinced he was the divine Son of God. But who was he really—and how can we know for sure?

Evaluating and organizing the biblical, historical, and textual evidence, Strobel searches out the true identity of the child in the manger, analyzing:

The latest, most up-to-date scholarship and research
The historical reliability of the accounts of Jesus's birth
The evidence for the virgin birth
The array of Old Testament prophecies fulfilled by the birth of Jesus
The most common questions about the story of Christmas
Join Strobel as he invites us to push past the distractions of the holiday season and come into the presence of the baby who was born to change us and rewrite our eternal destination: the greatest gift of all.

Amazon

THE CASE FOR CHRISTMAS by Lee Strobel | Introduction

From the best-selling author of The Convenient Groom and A December Bride (now beloved Hallmark Original movies) comes the third and final novel in the Bluebell Inn series!

When a mysterious man turns up at Grace’s family-run inn, there's instant attraction. But she’s already got a lot on her plate: running the Bluebell Inn by herself now that her siblings and co-owners have moved on, getting her new store Blue Ridge Outfitters off the ground, and coping with a childhood event she’d thought was long past.

A gunshot wound has resurrected the past for secret service agent Wyatt Jennings, and a mandatory leave of absence lands him in Bluebell, North Carolina. There he must try and come to grips with the crisis that altered his life forever.

Grace needs experience for her new outfitters business, so when Wyatt needs a mountain guide, she’s more than happy to help. As their journey progresses, Wyatt begins opening up to Grace, and he finds himself drawn to Grace’s fresh outlook and sense of humor.

There’s no doubt the two have formed a special bond, but will Wyatt’s secrets bring Grace’s world crashing down? Or will those secrets end up healing them both?

Amazon 

AUTUMN SKIES by Denise Hunter | Chapter One

NOW A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!

Read by the author.

The Way We Think Directly Impacts Our Joy and Peace

When was the last time you awakened to a swirl of out-of-control thoughts? Perhaps you were overwhelmed with anxiety, the fear of rejection, or the grip of guilt. In Tame Your Thoughts, Max Lucado provides three biblical and practical tools to renew your mind and transform your life.

Our thoughts have consequences. Most people would agree that positive thoughts generate positive actions. Negative thoughts activate negative behavior. But do we understand that we can manage our lives by managing our thoughts? Not only does neuroscience back this concept, but the idea is also embedded throughout Scripture. "Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind" (Rom.12:2 esv). Tame your thoughts and transform your life!

In Tame Your Thoughts, bestselling author and pastor Max Lucado explores three key thought management tools and then applies them to the most common thought problems: anxiety, guilt, rejection, and others. God loves us too much to let us lead a life marked by poor thinking. He made our brains; he can retrain our brains. God has not left us alone in this battle of the mind.

Stuck in your head? Ticked off at the world? Weighed down by worry? There is hope. Change is possible! The thoughts that have characterized your past need not characterize the rest of your life. Max shares how to use three thought management tools to

take thoughts captive,
test each message against the truth of Scripture,
interrupt poisonous thought threads, and
think and act like Jesus.
If God can resurrect the dead, can he not resurrect hope? Defy depression? Clarify confusion? Silence shame? Destroy doubt? Banish bitterness?

Take God at his word. "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Tim. 1:7 nkjv, emphasis added). With God as your helper, you will discover a new way of thinking and a better way of living.

We can tame each thought, friends.

TAME YOUR THOUGHTS by Max Lucado | Chapter One

She can’t remember. He can’t forget.

When Lauren Wentworth wakes up in the hospital after falling from a ladder, she has more questions than answers. Way more. She knows where she is—the wilds of New Hampshire. But she’s apparently lost the last four months of her life. Is she really contemplating forfeiting her big-city dream job for a position at a rustic resort? And how did her number one nemesis become her adoring boyfriend?

Jonah Landry is crushed to learn Lauren has forgotten their entire summer together. Terrified of losing her for good, he determines to help her remember their deep connection as she finishes her obligation to the resort. But soon it becomes apparent Lauren doesn’t want to remember falling in love with him or rethinking the entire course of her career. She wants to pretend the summer never happened and move on with her life. Without him.

As Lauren falls back into the steady routines of resort work with Jonah, she’s relieved her memories haven’t returned and remains resolute about her big-city future. But as autumn leads into winter, she begins to see glimpses of the Jonah she’s forgotten. Will she be able to resist the steady love of this patient man? Or is her heart destined for its own freefall?

BEFORE WE WERE US by Denise Hunter | Chapter One

God's goodness and grace abounds whether your heart is full or your needs are many. Discover how a spirit of gratitude brings peace and hope to your days in I Will Give Thanks, a 90-day devotional by author and illustrator Becky Shannon full of thoughtful reflections.

No matter the kind of day, messy or mundane, spending time reflecting on God's provision and care will feed your mind and spirit by cultivating a habit of gratitude. In this uplifting book, you will find that thankfulness is not an obligation but an invitation. When you have eyes to see God's goodness around you—whether in an unexpected note from a friend, a stunning sunrise, or even in difficult seasons of illness or anxiety—you can know Him more.

This journey toward embracing a deeper contentment is ideal for:

Anyone trying to form a natural habit of thankfulness
Loved ones going through challenging times
Those who appreciate beautiful, artistic design
Prayer partners and small groups looking for ways to share how God is working in their lives
Gratitude for God's gifts is possible, worthwhile, and life-giving, whatever your circumstances. I Will Give Thanks helps you adopt a posture of receiving from God the joy, peace, and hope that only He can provide.

I WILL GIVE THANKS by Becky Shannon | Chapter One

Read by the author.

Today's girls need grace and grit. How do we raise them in light, yet prepare them for the dark?

The journey of a girl mom often presents tricky terrain. In the early years, moms focus on the good. Being kind. Noticing beauty. Having faith and hope for the future. All the while, wondering: Can we help them believe in goodness yet not be naïve? Can we prepare them to handle hard realities without letting reality harden them?

Bestselling author Kari Kampakis champions you in this paradoxical journey. Like a big sister who's seen the wilderness and come back to report what's ahead, Kari offers a realistic yet optimistic framework.

Is Your Daughter Ready? is your anthem for raising a powerful force for good in a world that's deeply hurting. With Kari as your guide, learn how to intentionally pack the essentials your daughter will need for her life journey by:

instilling the love and light of Christ in her heart to empower her to be a light in the world;
modeling healthy relationships to set her up for success in personal, professional, and romantic connections;
providing her with the tools needed to have tough conversations with confidence and grace;
cultivating a mission mentality so she can look beyond her circumstances to see God's purpose; and
creating an environment of trust in God, assuring her that He will conquer any darkness.
Reclaim the joy of motherhood and the power of your home as you lovingly pour into your daughter, teach her to stand on her own two feet, and pray for the day when she outruns you and begins to empower her own generation.

IS YOUR DAUGHTER READY? by Kari Kampakis

A secret pregnancy, stolen from the altar by an Italian billionaire romance from USA TODAY bestselling author Annie West.

“You can’t marry her. She’s mine.”
And she’s having his heir!

On Stella White’s wedding day, she’d rather be anywhere else. However, the on-paper union gives the secret she’s carrying much-needed security. Or it would, if Gio Valenti—her father’s enemy and the billionaire whose sizzling touch haunts her—wasn’t stealing her from the altar!

Gio refuses to relinquish the woman he craves. Especially when she’s pregnant with his baby! Still, Stella’s family is responsible for destroying his, so he’s torn between distrusting her and desiring her. Now Gio has nine months to decide once and for all…

From Harlequin Presents: Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds. 

Stolen Pregnant Bride by Annie West

Welcome to HarperAcademic Calling.  Our podcast is designed to give educators, students, as well as every reader, a behind-the-scenes chat with a range of our authors--from well-loved favorites to up-and-coming debut writers--about their books.